Jack Thompson is back to his old tricks. After being disbarred in Florida, Thompson has traveled west to Utah where Utah Representative Mike Morley has proposed a new bill amendment that was drafted by Thompson.

The amendment, which is now on the docket, would add the following language to Utah's existing "Truth in Advertising" law:

[Deceptive trade practices occur when, in the course of a person's business, vocation, or occupation that person:]

(u) (i) advertises that the person will not sell a good or service labeled with an age restriction or recommendation to a person under the age restriction or recommendation; and (ii) sells that good or service to a person under the age restriction or recommendation.

In a statement released by Thompson, he says the purpose of the amendment is to "punish major American retailers who falsely claim they do not sell Mature-rated video games and R-rated movies and movie tickets to kids under 17."

I support citizens getting involved in government, but should Jack Thompson really be writing pieces of legislation for Congress? Should congressmen really be proposing bills put forth by Jack? A previous attempt by the ex-lawyer in Louisiana was found unconstitutional.

At this point, I think its time for Jack to step down and let it go. He repeatedly claims that games destroy people's lives, but it might be time to take a look in the mirror and realize how much time he's spent attempting to bring forth legislation against the gaming industry.

I expect this amendment will quickly be shot down and we'll go back to playing our M-rated games without any problems. The language about punishing retailers based on an age "recommendation" is especially careless. The word "recommendation" itself is a non-binding suggestion that doesn't really fit with the language of laws. Jack is potentially trying to circumvent the fact that ESRB ratings ARE recommendations and not limits or restrictions. Taking this to a ridiculous level, this would be like making swimming immediately after eating illegal based on doctor's warnings and recommendations. Playing the fuzzy logic game is fun!

What do you think about this amendment and Jack's continued crusade against mature games?

I just can't understand anything with this guy. He gets obsessed to the point he lost his practice in Florida yet he believes he's still fighting for the common good of everyone by his pitiful attempts at banning certain games from the market. He wants to keep this up why don't he just move to Germany where his views are on the same level?

Punaxe

20-02-09, 15:35

I always liked this image:

http://www.geeknewscentral.com/violent%20games%20vs%20violence.jpg

I don't think it has been established that violent games have any significant downside... Individuals have been influenced, yes, but the same can be said about alcohol.

I don't think it has been established that violent games have any significant downside... Individuals have been influenced, yes, but the same can be said about alcohol.

Postal 2 was pretty awesome, im not sure if the creators realized it, but it is the ultimate parody of the genre.

I don't think there's a link. Like they tried to do with Heavy Metal, the only people who kill themselves because of it, are those who would do so anyway, given any other stimulus they could find to warrant it.

Tonyrobinson

20-02-09, 15:45

If there are any mods out there mod an outfit of this asshole so we can all cut him up :p

Jo269976

20-02-09, 15:49

I thought he wasn't allowed to practise law anymore?

tomblover

20-02-09, 16:48

Oh my God, GTFO, you asshole. >_<

silver_wolf

20-02-09, 20:25

I thought he wasn't allowed to practise law anymore?
that's what I thought, too.

violentblossom

20-02-09, 20:27

lol he's gone to Mormonville, somewhere he'll finally be understood.

pneboy

20-02-09, 22:37

i really hate this guy, he is the only reason guns should be around then we could off him and no more need for guns

TRhalloween

20-02-09, 22:46

Jack Thomson makes me want to go around violently attacking people. He has a bad influence on me. Thank God there are violent video games to take my anger out on.

Larapink

20-02-09, 23:31

It's a mature game for a reason Jack Thompson, he hasn't got anything else to do than criticise.

*sighs*

Encore

20-02-09, 23:41

He wants to keep this up why don't he just move to Germany where his views are on the same level?

:confused:

Wana b like Lara

20-02-09, 23:44

Oh F off! ... :rolleyes:

I hate people like that =/

Cochrane

21-02-09, 13:12

Yeah, we all hate Jack Thompson, let's move on to the actual amendment proposed. Personally, I think that making sure only people with the right age get to buy the games is a nice, although futile, idea. This amendment, however, is completely the wrong way to go about it. Taken the logic used there, it would mean that not selling to certain customers would be some sort of advertised service to these customers instead of a restriction. Besides, do any of you know any video game retailer that actually advertises saying "We won't sell this to people under the age of <something>"? If anything, things liked rated ? for Something appear in advertisement, and that's not really a promise, just a recommendation. The bill, as proposed, sounds pretty useless.

Greenkey2

21-02-09, 15:52

If there are any mods out there mod an outfit of this asshole so we can all cut him up :p

Oh my God, GTFO, you asshole. >_<

Oh F off! ... :rolleyes:

I hate people like that =/

Easy on the language folks.

There're better ways to express your irritation than slinging names at someone who is not here to defend themselves. Learn them please.